Laughlin Ride
October 21 - 24, 2004
Thursday started out wet, I really didn't want to ride in the rain, so I choose to
leave a little later than Pete Springer. That proved to be a mistake. Pete, after meeting
up with Terry Day, made it all the way to Laughlin without getting wet and he made early
enough, it was still light out. I, on the other hand, got wet and it was dark when I got
there! )-:
I left around 2pm. The weather had cleared somewhat, although there were lots of clouds
still hanging around. The ride was cool, but with my jacket, liner and new chaps, I was
plenty warm. As I was going up I15, the clouds started getting darker and darker. As I
passed the 10/15 connector, they got even darker and then as I approached the 210/15 it
started raining. I figured I might as well stop and get the new rain gear Chris bought me
the night before. So I stopped under the cover of a gas station to put on my rain gear.
That took me about 5 to 10 minutes and I was again on the road, which was real wet by
then!
The rain lasted for about 10 miles where it gave way to mostly clouds with a little sun
poking through here and there. As I went up the pass to the high desert, I could see some
pretty impressive (meaning dark, really dark and nasty looking!) clouds as I continued
making my way to Barstow at about 75mph. Just before stopping for gas, I debated whether
to gas up and eat or just gas up and get going again. I choose to just gas up and go. I
took off on I40 east for another leg to Laughlin. With the road wide open, I notched the
speed up to 80 - 85. I passed several groups of bikers, (Two of which we ran into just
outside of Oatman the next day.), all doing about 70 to 75.
About 40 miles out, I hit a little more rain, it
didn't last long and I dried off pretty fast. At around the 60-mile mark, I hit the
beginning of what looked like a nasty downpour. I could see the heavier rain a couple of
miles just over my left shoulder (and it was coming my direction). I was really glad I had
decided not to eat in Barstow. (-:
As I continued, I noticed some big thunder storm clouds off to the east. They were pretty
spooky looking. I kept looking at them waiting to see lightening, but didn't see any.
Because it was getting dark, I jumped off the freeway to change my dark shield on my
helmet, to the clear one. I took a couple of pictures of those clouds and those other
clouds behind me. By the time I finally reached hwy 95, it was dark. I found my headlight
was out of adjustment, it was aiming a bit high. I tried to adjust it, but I couldn't get
it to adjust down. I used my driving lights anytime I didn't have cars coming at me. This
was a road that you didn't want to get caught on during a good downpour, especially at
night! It had a little sand here and there, but was okay. The only time I had to stop was
to wait and wait and wait for a freight train that must have had a 100+ cars. Just as I
approached hwy 163 going to Laughlin, a tractor-trailer rig decided that he had to go the
same direction! Of course they had roadwork going on and the road was down to one lane! I
had to follow that truck up and down almost all the way to Laughlin! On top of that, the
road was wet due to fog, and the fog was very thick! This was where I actually got pretty
wet. Since I left the rain gear on from the earlier rain, the only thing I was worried
about were my gloves and boots. The fairing pretty much kept the wet stuff off my boots. I
had put on a pair of surgical gloves under my winter gloves (back when I put on my rain
gear), so even though my gloves were soaked, my hands stayed warm. I pulled in around 7pm.
All and all, with only the three stops, it took me about 5 hours and I had gone 302 miles,
according to my Sigma BC 1600 (bicycle speedometer). Around 10pm I received a call from
Dennis Grace that him and Leif would come down in the morning. Which was a good idea since
hwy 163 was so foggy and wet.
Day Two
The next morning I met up with Pete, Terry and Roger in their room at Harrah's. The four
of us took off for Pioneer Hotel & Casino for breakfast. After breakfast, we went back
to Harrah's and waited in the parking garage for Dave Dodge. Something about Terry wanting
Dave to check out some noises in his V65 Magna. Shortly Dave came along and while he was
checking out Terry's engine, Jim and Vickie from Washington came in. We spent a little
while kicking tires and chewing the fat.
After a short time we decided we were going to go for a run, it was close to 11am, time
for Dennis and Leif to show up. But Pete figured they could catch up with us if they were
so inclined, but figured they would be too tired to ride further after coming in from San
Bernardino. We took off across the river to Bullhead City, gassed up and off we went. We
didn't get more than two or three miles when we spotted Dennis and Leif going the other
direction. So we all turned into a large parking lot and met up with them. Even after
riding all morning, Dennis and Leif were ready to ride more.
So, we had Pete, Terry, Roger, Dennis, Leif, Jim & Vickie and myself. Nice group
riding size. We headed for Oatman, a little mining town that is more tourist trap then
mining town. It's claim to fame are the donkeys that roam the streets and the fact it is
on Route 66. Although we didn't see any donkeys in Oatman, we did encounter several either
in the road or next to the road as we approached Oatman. After checking out the excitement
there (that took all of an hour) we loaded up and took off going north. We came up to a
lookout and pulled over. While there, we came across another donkey about 100 yards away
going up a hill. That was the only one I was able to get a picture of.
While up at the lookout, a couple of other bikers were there and we started talking to
them when I realized they were two of the bikers I had passed the day before on I40. They
followed us down the hill towards I40. There was a couple of times that Roger (on his
FJR1300) and Dennis (on his V-Max) decided to speed up a little. Since the road was
visible for miles, I decide to follow them. Now, I'm not one for a long drawn out ride at
the Ton+. I'll hit it, go for a short distance, then backoff. Which is what I did. Once we
hit I40, we went east while our new riding buddies went west.
After a few miles on I40, we came to the turn off Pete wanted for Chloride, another little
mining town, only this one wasn't really a tourist trap, it was just a trap, but with good
food!..;-) Most of us had hamburgers, while the others had chili, it was all good! I think
Pete had a hamburger that was a full one pound. Too much for me! And he's the skinny
one? After lunch we took off back to Laughlin. I must admit, I was impressed with how
rugged the mountains going (west) down into Bullhead City and Laughlin are. I wished I
could have gotten some pictures, but there just wasn't anywhere to stop.
We all later met over at the Ramada Express Hotel & Casino for the buffet dinner,
which Roger was so nice to buy us (Dennis, Leif and me). While we were sitting there
eating, Mike D. Strode in. Pete, Terry, Jim & Vickie and Dave Dodge and his dad, were
busy playing the tables and slots while we were eating. Once we were done, we chatted for
a very short time and Dennis, Leif and I went back to our room at the River Palms Hotel.
Day 3 - Saturday morning:
Dennis, Leif and I went over to Pete's
room at Harrah's. We won't say what was going on there..;-) Anyway, we all met down at the
Mc Donald's for breakfast. Once connections were made with Jim and Vicky, we all headed
down to the River's Edge Hotel/Casino to met up with them before heading out to Meadview
and Lake Mead.
Once hitched up with them, we went over the river to Bullhead City to gas up and then
started our journey. Meadview was quite the distance. We headed east until 93, then north
for a number of miles. After turning off, Pete pulled over at a store/gas station in Dolan
Springs. Dennis filled up the V-Max and the rest of us just gave our poor tired tail
sections a rest. By this time, I started getting TB. I had done pretty good actually, but
TB set in big time so I took out my gel pad.
We got rested up and again headed to our destination. I can't remember how many miles we
traveled down the road, but we finally came to a overlook where you could see Lake Mead.
It was still quite a ways down from us, but the overlook gave us a nice shot of the lake.
After about 15 minutes, we all jumped on the bikes again and followed Pete to a boat
launch area. The road down had nice sweeping curves and not too many tight turns. When we
got down to the boat ramp, there was a group of rafters either getting ready to take off
or just got back, I never heard one way or the other.
We explored the area a bit, went out on the dock that was there and then just enjoyed the
beauty of the lake and it's surroundings. At one point Leif took off on Roger's bike. At
first he was heading toward the lake and we all thought maybe he decided to wash it. He
then turned around and headed back up the road for a spin. After he was gone for a few
minutes, I got this crazy idea of taking pictures of everyone as they headed out. So I
found a nice turnout where I could use the lake as a backdrop and get a great shot of
them. Well, as luck would have it, as they came up, and I started taking pictures, the
batteries got low and the camera wouldn't respond. I was able to get a few of them, but
that was all she would take. I was really disappointed. I think I'll take my 35mm next
time. But the only problem with that is, I never seem to get the pictures developed! Oh
well!
We all headed up to Meadview to gas up and then find the local restaurant, "The
Crow's Nest". My sandwich was pretty good, I assume everyone else's food was fine
too. I didn't hear any complaints, nor was I listening if there were!...;-) This was one
of the areas that Pete, Mike and others had been on one of their off-road adventures.
After lunch, we took off back toward Laughlin, the same way we came (since there really
wasn't any other direction to go anyway). As we were riding down 93, Roger and Dennis got
frisky again, I followed along with Mike and I think Leif was right behind us. Later, Mike
and I compared our Sigmas and we hit identical top speeds (Well over the Ton). I thought
that was kind of funny, since we didn't pace each other at all.
We stopped again for gas in Bullhead City and decide to go over to the Hotel Jim and Vicky
were staying because the had some Hardley thing going on and they had vendor booths set
up. It took me all of about 10 minutes to walk through the whole thing. At one trailer,
setup for some law firm, some cute chick was handing out wallets and they had some crusty
old biker and his really old crusty Hardley there. First person I thought of seeing the
crusty old guy, was Pete. In fact, Pete and this guy chewed the fat for about 15 to 20
minutes. I didn't listen on their conversion, but I'm sure they were swapping
engine-cooking recipes. LOL
As we were walking out, we came across Dave Dodge and his dad. We stood yaking for a long
time, until someone got the bright idea to go over the river to the Denny's in Bullhead
City. We got to Denny's, sat down and were waiting on Jim & Vickie. After a while, we
finally heard that Jim had changed his oil, but didn't have a headlight. He found out that
the bulb
broke, probably from the water in his headlight case. A little while later they made it.
We had a good crowd there.
It was great fun talking to Dave and his dad. His dad has many stories to tell about the
old days (back in the late 50's and into the 70's about motorcycles and such). Dave and I
started talking about the old 250/350/400 two stroke Yamaha's of the 70's. While I never
had a 350 or 400, I followed them very closely over those years, so it was fun talking to
someone that rode them too.
Dave was kind enough to get the bill for us all, said something about a business meeting,
or something. Thanks again Dave! (-: After we got through talking (we were there for about
1-½ hours or so). We all went back to our rooms and took it easy for the rest of the
night.
The next morning, Dennis, Leif and I got up, loaded up the bikes then went down to the
hotel cafe for their "Country Breakfast". That filled me up and we were ready to
take off towards home. Dennis led the way down the river road towards Needles. He wanted
to gas up since we were taking Route 66 down towards 29 Palms, he wanted all the gas he
could hold before heading off since it was going to be about 120 miles to the next stop.
So west we went on I40 until we came to the 66 turnoff. There we headed out across no
man's land, which seemed forever. Through a couple of ½ horse towns and all!
At one point, we came across an bunch of Hardley riders coming off a side road, I'm sure
they jumped off I40, just later than we did. A mile down the road, Leif passes me and then
starts talking to Dennis, while they are doing that, they slow down to about 5 to 10 mph.
What the heck? No place to really stop, nor are they trying, they just about came to a
stop in the middle of the road! Now, just as the Hardley riders start to come up on us,
Dennis and Leif decide to end their conference and take off again! And Dennis goes back up
to his 60-65mph (remember, we are out in the middle of nowheres!). Okay, we go about a
mile down the road and the Hardleys decide we weren't going fast enough, so they go around
us. (At that point, I was about to go around us too!)
Once the Hardleys passed us, Dennis has a delayed reaction and realizes that he was just
passed by a bunch of Hardleys! So, Dennis catches up to them and starts pacing them. A
couple more miles down the road, and it looks like he's going to pass them. No, he goes
out into the oncoming traffic lane and paces them. This went on what seemed for a long
time, but he and Leif finally got around them. I was just glad that I didn't try to pass
them until Dennis and Leif finished their pass. I would feel very uncomfortable sitting
out in the oncoming traffic lane that long. I really don't care how clear of oncoming cars
it is. My riding style I guess.
Okay, Dennis and Leif started turning up the burners now and I can see that I'll need to
get around the Hardleys. No, I wasn't just going to doddle by, I kicked it down to 4th and
felt the front tire almost come off the ground! I love the power of that V65! (-: I was
around them and was soon up to Dennis and Leif.
As we were going through Amboy, there is this inactive volcano (called Amboy Crater) and
you could see the flow around it. Worth a look next time I'm in the area, or at least a
picture! Once in Amboy, we turned off Route 66 heading to TwentyNine Palms. Lots of
nothing to see, but at least it was better than I40, with nothing to see! As we approached
TwentyNine Palms, Dennis came up on a Mini van or Mini SUV (who can tell the difference
anymore?) and he was following it up and down Sheep Hole pass (I just love some of the
names of things you come across out in areas like that!...;-) As we were coming down the
grade, Leif sees a opening (I guess Dennis was really getting worried about running out of
gas by then...we were doing about 55), and off Leif goes. Of course, as soon as Leif gets
around this vehicle, the road gets where you can't make a safe pass, even on a bike and we
were approaching houses where anyone could jump out in front of you without warning. So
not much else for Dennis and I to do, except sit back and wait. A number of miles later,
we were able to get around the vehicle and start picking up the pace a bit. By that time
Leif was way ahead. We finally caught up to him when he stopped to gas up in the outskirts
of TwentyNine Palms.
At first I wasn't going to get gas until I looked at Dennis's map and saw that the I10 was
still 40+ miles away and I had 130 on the clock from our last fill up. So, even though I
was sure I would have been fine, I filled up. As we were going through town, a cop pulled
in between Dennis and I and I was afraid they were going to get him and possibly me too.
Anyway they
pulled into the police station and I was relieved. As we were going through Yucca Valley,
we came across a lone Hardley rider. Leif couldn't leave the poor guy alone. Speeding up
in front of him, then slowing down so he could repeat passing him again. I lost count how
many times he did that!
About that time, Dennis pulled us both over for a conference. Dennis wanted to ride up
towards Victorville, I told him that him and Leif were more then welcome to go, but my TB
was setting in really good and I just wanted to get home! Leif, wanted to head home too,
so the three of us just got back on the road and headed to I10. We continued and once we
hit the 62, Dennis and Leif pushed up to about 80 to 85. I kept it down to about 75. I
just wasn't in the mood to get a ticket.
Just before I10, Dennis and Leif slowed down and waited for me. I caught up to them just
as we came to I10. Once again, Dennis and Leif shot up to around 80-85, while I maintained
the 75 (most of the time.) there were a few cars that were zipping in and out of traffic,
so a couple of times I followed them through some of the holes in traffic. As we
approached the 60, Dennis was no longer in sight (he might have stayed on the 10) and Leif
and I jumped on the 60. The traffic was okay until we came to Perris where it did some
stop and go stuff. I guess Leif doesn't like to bust traffic, so I passed him there. At
the 215, Leif and I parted company and I was only 25 miles from home. My butt was really
getting sore by then, but I didn't want to stop. I finally made it home around 1:30pm!
Yeah!
It was a great time. Although we didn't have a big turnout, We had two really good riding
days, I traveled a total of 925 miles, spent 15.21 hours in the saddle (why my butt was so
sore! )-: with an overall average speed of 61mph. Top speed during the trip was 112.8mph,
with a couple of bursts up to 107. (all for very short distances).
Pictures of my ride: Laughlin